Germany: Hesse seeks alternative to US data analysis software

Hesse's State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is pushing for a unified, nationwide solution for data analysis software, citing the current fragmentation and reliance on US technology as significant drawbacks in the fight against crime and terrorism. LKA President Daniel Muth expressed the urgent need for a powerful, internally developed system, hoping for a resolution within the next two years.

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For us, an agreement within the Federal Republic on a powerful system is important.

Hesse has been a pioneer in Germany, adopting Palantir's "Gotham" analysis tool in 2017. While only a few other states have followed suit, Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) stated his commitment to transitioning to a European alternative once the current contract with Palantir expires. However, he cautioned that such a solution must be equivalent in capability for police data analysis, and none currently exists.

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We have made ourselves too dependent on the United States in many contexts.

Concerns are mounting among German IT experts regarding potential US political pressure or data access issues, especially given the controversial political leanings of Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel and CEO Alex Karp. Poseck has previously voiced unease about Germany's over-reliance on the United States, questioning the long-term reliability of US technology and the potential for data to be accessed or controlled from North America. The servers for Hesse's "Hessendata" application are located within the state's data processing center in Wiesbaden.

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We are committed to switching to a European alternative for the Hessian police after the contract with Palantir ends, provided that an equivalent solution is available.